Reversal of ethanol intoxications in humans: an assessment of the efficacy of propranolol.

The effect of post-ethanol ingestion of a single dose of propranolol on acute intoxication was studied in 13 healthy male volunteers. A within subjects, double-blind, crossover design was employed. Each subject participated in two experimental sessions. In each session, subjects took a battery of tests under three conditions: Sober, Alcohol (0.8 g/kg) and Alcohol (1.1 g/kg) + Pill, in that order. The pill contained propranolol (40 mg) in one session and placebo in the other. Ethanol significantly reduced motor coordination, memory and divided attention performance and altered mood scores. Propranolol significantly increased ethanol's effects on divided attention, inebriation ratings and the electroencephalogram without significantly altering blood alcohol concentrations. There was no indication that propranolol antagonized any of ethanol's effects. These results agree with studies indicating that ethanol's effects are increased by a reduction in the functional capacity of central catecholamine systems. It is suggested that central catecholamine-stimulating drugs may reverse some of ethanol's effects.